Pubdate: Mon, 23 Mar 2009
Source: Ukiah Daily Journal, The (CA)
Copyright: 2009 The Ukiah Daily Journal
Contact: http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/feedback
Website: http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/581
Author: Robert Sharpe

LEGALIZING DOES MAKE SENSE

To the Editor:

Taxing and regulating marijuana makes sense. Drug policies modeled 
after alcohol prohibition have given rise to a youth-oriented black 
market. Illegal drug dealers don't ID for age, but they do recruit 
minors immune to adult sentences. So much for protecting the 
children. Throwing more money at the problem is no solution.

Attempts to limit supply while demand remains constant only increase 
the profitability of drug trafficking. For addictive drugs like 
heroin, a spike in street prices leads desperate addicts to increase 
criminal activity to feed desperate habits. The drug war doesn't 
fight crime, it fuels crime. Taxing and regulating marijuana is a 
cost-effective alternative to continued drug war failure.

As long as organized crime controls marijuana distribution, consumers 
will come into contact with hard drugs. This "gateway" is a direct 
result of marijuana prohibition. Drug policy reform may send the 
wrong message to children, but I like to think the children are more 
important than the message.

Robert Sharpe, MPA

Policy Analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington, DC 20012
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom